UPDATE 5:37 P.M. | Statement from CenturyLink added to the bottom of the post.

As part of a recently introduced telecom reform measure, Colorado lawmakers want to phase out a ratepayer-funded program that reimburses CenturyLink more than $50 million annually for providing phone service in areas deemed to be high cost to serve.

So the Monroe, La-based company has launched a full-fledged digital attack to protect that fund. The campaign has included sending more than 2,500 emails to Colorado lawmakers, including state Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver.

Note to CenturyLink: message received, over 800 before we blocked. Odd that so many of your employees clicked “send” at same moment…#coleg

Emilie Rusch covers retail and commercial real estate for The Post. A Wisconsin native and Mizzou graduate, she moved to Colorado in 2012. Before that, she worked at a small daily newspaper in South Dakota. It's the one with Mount Rushmore.